Charlton Architecture is a multi-disciplinary design studio committed to enriching the human experience through thoughtful, sustainable, and carefully crafted design.

We begin with dialogue to develop a deeper connection with our clients and the space they wish to create. Using our tailored design thinking process as a tool we solve problems, find harmony, and enhance the character of the spaces we design for. Our clients are essential collaborators as we transform vision into reality, a process that is part art and part science as we reimagine what is possible with every new project.

Our design approach is rigorous, blending pragmatic considerations, artistic insight, technical knowledge, and a deep understanding of client goals.

Through our focus on quality we balance many different considerations, bringing them to life with our artistry. These include: spatial (proportions, ease-of-use, orientation, mood), technical (building systems, documentation, building code, zoning code, constructibility, cost), material (life cycle, durability, clean-ability, origins, health, texture, character), sustainable (orientation, natural light, passive & active energy conservation, toxins) and management (communication, supervision, prioritization, phasing, contractor selection). The design integrity cultivated through this process is something that we work to protect through construction. We only work with reputable builders who value both design integrity and client experience.

At Charlton Architecture we thoughtfully create environments that enrich the lives of our clients and that responsibly steward natural resources. We emphasize quality as a priority — of design, craft, and materials. Quality endures — a central tenet of our approach to sustainability. Our goal is to design “500 year” buildings — buildings that are built with such care that many generations can love living in them.

“Architecture has the power to shape human behavior and create atmosphere: a sense of poetry, identity, community, and place. Together with our clients we shape something new into the world, a potent act of collaboration & creation.”

Born and raised in the United States to South African parents, Principal Bronwyn Charlton, AIA draws influence and inspiration from her global travels, especially her time spent immersed in the rich design culture of Southern Africa and the historical art & architecture of Europe. She is creative, detail-oriented, and broad-minded, and brings these various attributes together in her architectural practice.

Bronwyn has over 14 years of experience in the field of architecture. She has worked on a wide range of project typologies, from higher education life-sciences buildings, to restaurants, to multifamily and single family. At Charlton Architecture, her focus is on housing of all scales and types.

Through Charlton Architecture, founded in 2019, Bronwyn has built an approach to design that is collaborative, sustainable, and focused on quality. She guides her residential clients through a process that respects the home as a space full of meaning in which the day-to-day experience of living is a priority. She is a careful steward of budget, time, and resources, working closely with her clients to deliver a meaningful and manageable project.

In her spare time, Bronwyn loves to walk in urban and rural places, play silly games with her three children, read any book she can get her hands on, and dig in the garden.

“Bronwyn did an amazing job helping us design and build our backyard studio. She is thoughtful, creative and collaborative, and was able to design something that gracefully took into account our many hopes for the project. Her relationships and knowledge were also immensely helpful in getting the project over the finish line. We are very grateful to have worked with her.” James P. & Torry B.

Registered Architect, Brian Driska, AIA, serves as a project consultant for Charlton Architecture. A deep appreciation for fine craftsmanship, cultivated during his years as a carpenter, informs his collaborative approach and the the rigor of his details.

Our Work is Shaped by Principles

Start with the site. Our buildings fit in harmoniously with their environment and take advantage of natural features. We prioritize views, passive solar & shading, surface-water management, preservation of biodiversity, and a non-invasive approach to constructibility. We work in concert with nature so that your experiences are beautiful, inside and out.

Meaningful design derives from purposeful dialogue. We engage our clients in thoughtful dialogue early and often in the design process. Synthesizing your insights is an essential part of how we create a space that is meaningful to you. We tailor our pre-design process to the unique needs and communication styles of our clients.

Experience is the heart of design. Our experience of buildings is not created by any one thing, but like music, is made of many notes at once. The art of design is understanding how various elements of a building come together to create this experience. Once we understand the experiential goals of the project, we shape them with natural light, proportion, utility, haptics, biophilia, acoustics, color theory, and rhythm.

An architect is a project steward. At Charlton Architecture, we have a “project first” mentality. It is our priority that your project is a success as defined by you. To achieve this we implement a project process that leverages our expertise in building science & constructibility and involves builders as collaborators early in the design process.

Our office is based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina with local projects in Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Pittsboro. Our work can also be found across the nation, from New York State to Washington State.

Charlton Architecture brings years of experience in a range of project typologies, including: single family residential housing, multifamily housing, cluster housing, condos, co-housing, restaurants, higher education, and small to mid-sized commercial spaces.